November 14, 2024

UNO is the biggest organisation in the world, with its headquarters in New York. It was created in 1945 after the Second World War and the failure of the League of Nations. Around 50 nations assembled in San Francisco, USA, on 25 April 1945 to begin the talks and start drafting the UN charter. As the world grappled with the devastating aftermath of World War II, a remarkable vision emerged: a global organization dedicated to maintaining peace, fostering cooperation, and promoting human rights. The United Nations Organization (UNO) was born from this noble aspiration in 1945, becoming humanity’s most ambitious attempt at creating a unified platform for international dialogue and conflict resolution. Yet, despite its monumental achievements in peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development, the UNO faces mounting criticism about its effectiveness in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape. From structural inefficiencies to questions about equal representation, the organization designed to be the world’s problem-solver often finds itself at the center of controversy. In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll explore the UNO’s journey from its post-war inception to its present-day challenges, failures and criticism. Let’s also examine its intricate organizational structure, key operational bodies, and the financial framework that sustains its global missions. More importantly, we’ll delve into the critical shortcomings that threaten its relevance and the proposed reforms that could reshape its future. Historical Development and Purpose Formation of UNO The United Nations Organization emerged from the ashes of World War II in 1945, when 51 countries gathered in San Francisco to sign the UN Charter. The devastating consequences of two world wars prompted nations to establish an international body that would maintain global peace and foster cooperation among nations. Core objectives and principles The UN’s founding principles focus on four fundamental goals: Evolution through decades The UN’s development can be traced through significant milestones: Decade Key Developments 1940s Establishment and initial peacekeeping missions 1960s Major decolonization efforts and membership expansion 1980s Enhanced focus on environmental issues 2000s Introduction of Millennium Development Goals Key Development till the year 2000. Key achievements since inception The organization has recorded numerous notable accomplishments: The UN’s growth from 51 to 193 member states reflects its expanding influence in global governance. As we examine the organization’s structure, it’s essential to understand how these foundational elements shape its current operations and decision-making processes. Organizational Structure General Assembly Powers and Functions The General Assembly serves as the UN’s main deliberative body, where all 193 member states have equal representation. Each member has one vote on important matters like peace, security, and budgetary issues. The Assembly meets regularly from September to December, with special sessions called when necessary. Security Council Composition and Veto System The Security Council consists of 15 members: Permanent Members Veto Power Term Length P5 Members Yes Permanent Non-permanent Members No 2 years Economic and Social Council Role ECOSOC coordinates economic, social, and humanitarian work through: International Court of Justice Operations Located in The Hague, the ICJ handles: Secretariat and Secretary-General Duties The Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General, manages daily UN operations including: The Secretary-General, appointed by the General Assembly on Security Council recommendation, serves as the UN’s chief administrative officer for a 5-year term. Now that we understand the organizational framework, let’s examine how these bodies operate in practice through their main operating procedures and protocols. Main Operating Bodies Specialized Agencies Overview The United Nations operates through various specialized agencies that address specific global challenges. Here are the key specialized agencies and their primary functions FAO  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations guide ICAO  International Civil Aviation Organization guide IFAD  International Fund for Agricultural Development guide ILO  International Labour Organization guide IMF  International Monetary Fund guide IMO  International Maritime Organization guide ITU  International Telecommunication Union guide UNESCO  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization guide UNIDO  United Nations Industrial Development Organization guide UN Tourism  World Tourism Organization guide UPU  Universal Postal Union guide WHO  World Health Organization guide WIPO  World Intellectual Property Organization guide WMO  World Meteorological Organization guide World Bank Group guide   Peacekeeping Forces UN Peacekeeping forces serve as the organization’s operational arm for maintaining international peace and security. Key elements include: Development Programs The UN implements various development initiatives through specialized programs: These programs operate in coordination with member states and local organizations to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each program maintains its own operational structure while reporting to the central UN administration. The financial framework supporting these bodies plays a crucial role in their effectiveness and reach. The complex funding mechanisms and budget allocations directly impact the success of UN initiatives across all operational areas. Financial Framework Member State Contributions The UN’s financial system primarily relies on mandatory contributions from its 193 member states. Each country’s contribution is calculated based on its Gross National Income (GNI), with adjustments for: Budget Allocation System The UN operates with two main budgets: Budget Type Purpose Funding Source Regular Budget Core operations, administration Assessed contributions Peacekeeping Budget Military operations, conflict resolution Separate assessment scale Key allocation priorities include: Financial Challenges and Deficits The organization faces several critical financial issues: The UN’s financial stability is further compromised by: With mounting financial pressures impacting the UN’s operational effectiveness, the organization has been forced to implement various cost-cutting measures and seek alternative funding sources. These financial constraints directly affect the UN’s ability to respond to global crises and maintain its peacekeeping operations. The need for comprehensive reform of the UN’s financial structure has become increasingly apparent. Major Shortcomings Old Structure of UNO The structure of the UN organization is too old to accommodate newly emerging powers like India, Brazil, Japan, and Germany etc. as a permanent member.  Its old structure also struggles to overcome financial, security and health-related issues. It needs oxygen to come out of serious sickness. UNO must understand that all the permanent members are not enough to make correct and ethical decisions. There are countries with new talent, ideas, money and capabilities as well. It has approximately 14 specialized agencies